Madison-Ridgeland Academy football coach Herbert Davis hospitalized, needs kidney transplant
On Friday, when the members of the Madison-Ridgeland Academy football team bow their heads before taking the field against Magnolia Heights, they will say a prayer for coach Herbert Davis.
Davis, who has led MRA to three state titles since becoming coach in 2014, will miss his second game this season because of an infection he contracted while receiving kidney dialysis treatment.
Interim head coach and defensive coordinator Danny White said Davis has been undergoing dialysis for the past three or four years.
“If you know anybody that has a kidney, he needs one,” White said. “If we can get that word out and get him healthy and a kidney, this would be an unbelievable story.”
White said that Davis went to the emergency room on Aug. 6. He was transferred to the intensive care unit and was discharged Aug. 11, the day after his team opened its season with a 48-25 victory against Parkline Academy.
Davis returned to the office Sunday to prepare for meetings, but his blood pressure was low and he didn’t have any energy, White said. On Monday, Davis, on his doctor's advice, went to the emergency room, and White said doctors found that fluid had built up around Davis’ chest. They drained a liter and a half of fluid from around his heart, White said. Davis remains hospitalized.
“Coach Davis is a fighter,” MRA athletic director Ross Hailey said. “He’s been battling kidney failure for years and his battle has taken a detour with this infection. We’re praying for Coach Davis’ health to improve, and we would like to encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor through Mississippi Organ Recovery.”
White said Davis coached the team throughout the summer, and in the past few weeks there were complications beginning with the infection in his arm stemming from the dialysis. Doctors put a port in near Davis’ chest but had to remove it because of infection and inflammation around his heart.
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White said Davis told him he was in a lot of pain, describing it like having a heart attack because of the pressure on his chest from the inflammation.
“He has never complained about it,” White said. “He knows it is something he has to battle and is trying to have the best attitude he can about it. He’s a good friend and a good person. We want to do well and represent him.”
White said Davis is doing four hours of dialysis five days a week. The team finishes practice about 6 p.m. and Davis goes to dialysis immediately afterward, usually not finishing until around 11 p.m., and then goes to bed. During the season, it is difficult just for him to get his rest, White said.
“Our players and coaches have been inspired by his phenomenal attitude,” Hailey said. “They will continue to represent MRA and Coach Davis the way he’s been inspiring them since his arrival at MRA."
Davis has a 207-89 record in 25 seasons coaching. He also won state titles at Brookhaven Academy (1993, 2009) and Pillow Academy (1997).
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Herbert Davis: MRA football coach hospitalized, needs kidney transplant
